Monday 11th February 2008

Daytime Running Lights To Be Mandatory

All cars to have DRL by 2012

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Audi is a fan of DRL

Daytime running lights will be mandatory on all new cars within four years, it has been reported.

Despite previous opposition to the idea on the grounds it would increase fuel consumption and emissions the government is now understood to be in favour.

The plans are part of EU legislation and the government has said it is unable to oppose them.

Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick reportedly said in answer to a parliamentary question: ‘The UK has been successful in arguing against the introduction of mandatory use of dipped headlamps during daylight hours by drivers of existing vehicles.

‘However, from early 2011 all new types of passenger cars and light vans will have to be fitted with dedicated daytime running lamps in accordance with the relevant European directive. By summer 2012, all new vehicles will have to be so fitted.’

The European Commission is said to be putting pressure on all member states to make daytime lights compulsory, with around half already requiring this.

[Goochie]

I suppose it goes some way to helping us see the morons who drive around towns at night with no lights on.

[gopher cough]

why can't they make self cancelling rear foglamp switches mandatory!

with this mornings fog, i look forward with glee to the next six weeks of numpties leaving the fogs on - joy

[Steve350]

What next? A green tax for increasing emissions by running daytime lights?

Belive it.......

[Tony*T3]

I guess theres no harm in this really, especially as the new LED technology means that they use significantly less energy, dont they?

However,i think the story is wrong to say that Audi likes DRL's, as they arent on as standard. Surely Volvo would be the manufacturer of choice for this comment?

[fatboy b]

gopher cough said:

why can't they make self cancelling rear foglamp switches mandatory!

Dol you really think that'll stop the tts using them?

[AL600-or-so]

Wonderful, another waste of time and moeny that'll make cars without them harder to see.

[danrc]

How much do these fools earn to introduce stupid directives like this!!

[Addersuggs]

dead batteries all over the shop

[MitchT]

Steve350 said:

What next? A green tax for increasing emissions by running daytime lights?

Belive it.......

My sentiments exactly. They'll make us use lights all the time. Then, just after we've forgotten that they made us do it, they'll tax us on it like it's something we decided to do.

[Altrezia]

Lets go for daytime sirens too.

[Rob_J]

I thought one of the big arguments against this was safety. The motorcycle lobby were strongly opposed to this as it takes away the advantage bikes have for visibility of running with lights on in the daylight (making them standout). This robs bikes of that small advantage.

[officialslacker]

So why is it that we have to use lights during the day??

It's not really going to make you notice the other cars on the road anymore??

[Strawman]

Who cares, Volvo and Saab have been making cars with DRLs for 20+ odd years, they don't seem any thirstier than others (in their class)

[Pingman]

I think this is a rubish idea, every time i drive past a new BMW with it's orange DRLs on i think it's a about to pull into the lane im in!

As for fog lights, don't get me started on those!

They'd be better off teaching people how to drive in foggy conditions and when to actually use a fog light. Every time there's a tiny bit of fog (Or even better, just heavy rain!!) all the numptys put there fog lights on and then all the idiots crash in to each other as they don't see the brake lights! Any one that drove on the A13/M25 (QE2)bridge this morning can vouch for this!

[sleep envy]

Pingman said:

I think this is a rubish idea, every time i drive past a new BMW with it's orange DRLs on i think it's a about to pull into the lane im in!

quick tip - if it's static it's a DRL

if it flashes on and off it's a indicator and they are signaling to show intention of a change in lane

HTH

[N14EER]

Will every car manufacturer make lights as cool looking as Audi though?

[Mikey G]

Addersuggs said:

dead batteries all over the shop

Colleague has a Volvo, only uses it for short journeys to work, regularly suffers flat batteries.

Never understand DRL, surely the uneducated should be taught to look harder for solid vehicles than rely on seeing lights.

[PhantomPH]

I'm sorry, but all this says to me is that somebody somewhere once said, "I know it was broad daylight and it is a tonne of metal and chrome and edges and glass....but it had no lights on so I could not see it" after an accident.

What is the rational thinking behind this legislation? This is a serious question. I have managed to drive for 17 years now without being hit by a Volvo...mind you, I have not been hit by anything else either, so....

P~

[Silverbullet767]

N14EER said:

Will every car manufacturer make lights as cool looking as Audi though?

Expect to see them on corsa's and saxo's anytime soon.

[edb49]

Is this a conspiracy by the gov't to make cyclists harder to see? I don't have daytime running lights on my bike!